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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2024–Mar 8th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Glacier.

The snowpack remains primed for large human triggered avalanches. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential.

Have plans to ski conservative slopes with limited overhead exposure.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a field crew remote-triggered a sz 1 on the Feb 3 crust while approaching a snow profile site. Under the Rampart a sz 3 was observed from the last few days showing very wide propagation.

A skier-triggered a sz 2 slab on Avalanche Crest Sunday.

On Thursday a large natural size 3 failed on Catamount peak, triggered by intense sun.

We continue to see daily reports in the region of human triggered avalanches on the Feb 3rd layer - some failing in small forest openings.

Snowpack Summary

80-140cm of settled snow sits atop a sugary facet layer. These facets are not bonding well to the widespread, very firm crust(Feb 3). This crust is a significant persistent weak layer and will be the main layer of concern for the foreseeable future.

Intense spring sun has created a crust on South & West aspects.

Variable winds have created soft wind slabs at ridgetop on most aspects. Expect significant wind affect below glaciers due to strong downflow winds

Weather Summary

One more day with mixed sun and cloud before a storm arrives on Saturday. So far modest snowfall amounts are forecasted on Saturday/Sunday.

Fri: Mix of sun & cloud with isolated flurries, trace of new snow, high -5°C, moderate S winds, FZL 1400m.

Sat: Flurries amounting to 6cm, high -3°C, ridge wind SW 20km/hr gusting to 55, FZL at 1800m.

Sun: Flurries to 8cm, high -5°C, light S winds, FZL 1400m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, avoid terrain where triggering slopes from below is possible
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.